This graphic depicts the planned interplanetary
flight path beginning with launch from Earth on 6 October 1997,
followed by gravity assist flybys of Venus (21 April 1998 and
20 June 1999), Earth (16 August 1999), and Jupiter (30 December
2000). Saturn arrival is scheduled for 1 July 2004, which marks
the beginning of a four year orbital tour of the Saturn system.
The gravity-assist flybys of the different planets are designed
to increase the spacecraft's velocity relative to the Sun so it
can reach Saturn. During these planetary flybys, there is an exchange
of energy between the planet and the spacecraft which accelerates
the latter and changes its velocity direction relative to the
Sun. With the use of the VVEJGA (Venus-Venus-Earth-Jupiter Gravity
Assist) trajectory, it takes 6.7 years for the Cassini spacecraft
to arrive at Saturn. The spacecraft must be designed to withstand
the thermal environment both inside the orbit of Venus (130 0C)
and at Saturn (-210 0C). (JPL-27089BC)
